Towards a sustainable tourism industry in China: an analysis of the use of eco-innovation in the management of Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Site

Abstract eng:
When dealing with World Heritage Sites, stakeholders’ collaboration proves vital in producing a holistic and inclusive planning system benefitting the local community and the environmental protection by way of innovation. This article examines three main stakeholders of a heritage site, namely the park’s administration, the local business community and the visitors through a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, offering as a new method of analysis the application of categories found in the eco-innovation literature. The aim is first to analyse the application of environmental technologies to heritage sites as a strategy toward sustainable development; and second, to analyse the perception of the local stakeholders on innovation, sustainability as well as on the WHS accreditation. The analysis shows that the enlistment should be considered as a valuable intangible asset with the potential to positively influence innovation. In Jiuzhaigou, remarkable results have been achieved through engagement and internationalization, with the natural reserve’s administration being the major innovator. However, the findings also suggest that further efforts should be aimed at developing the area surrounding the park, as it is beginning to have a negative impact on the environmental sustainability of the protected area. There is a strong need for an integrated urban approach that prioritizes environmental protection and further engages the local community. In conclusion, the categories of environmental innovation being employed are overly focused on monitoring and transportation, and wastewater and solid waste management will have to be addressed with long-term and more effective solutions. Perceptions gathered from visitors and local community show that the public is positively influenced by environmental innovation, and there is a strong awareness that the carrying capacity of the park is reaching an overshoot phase, therefore stricter measures that should be applied to safeguard the park’s sustainability could also bring a positive effect to tourism and local residents.

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